Tentative contract ties SCF president's pay to goals

Published: Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at 8:43 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at 8:43 p.m.

LAKEWOOD RANCH - State College of Florida's new president Carol Probstfeld has some specific goals for her tenure as president, including increasing student enrollment and getting some building projects off the ground.

And if Probstfeld doesn't achieve those goals, she's okay with it affecting her compensation.

A tentative contract presented to the Board of Trustees on Tuesday would hold Probstfeld accountable for seven goals in order to earn money for a tax sheltered annuity plan.

Though the trustees decided not to finalize Probstfeld's contract until a special meeting scheduled for March 18, Probstfeld said she takes little issue with the contract draft, and trustees said Tuesday that the process is close to complete.

“We're like 98 percent of the way there,” Board Chairman Carlos Beruff said, adding that there were a few compensation points to refine and trustees wanted legal counsel to look over it.

Probstfeld would earn a $235,000 base salary under the current contract language, up significantly from the $147,000 she earned as the vice president of business and administrative services.

Though trustees have sung Probstfeld's praises since naming her president in January, the contract would give much termination power to the board, who went through a drawn out process to reach a $363,000 settlement deal with former president Lars Hafner in October.

Probstfeld would receive no severance pay if her contract is terminated by the board “with cause” — if she is convicted of any crime involving fraud or theft or if the board uses “reasonable judgment” to determine she has failed in her duties or conduct. In other situations, her compensation pay would be limited to 20 weeks, as state statutes dictate.

Hafner left SCF this fall after months of disagreements with some trustees who said they weren't informed of the costs of various construction projects. He survived a forgery investigation by the state after signing a former president's name on official college documents.

A new trustee

The contract currently would give Probstfeld leave benefits outlined by state statutes and $1,000 for monthly expenses. It suggests giving her a 2008 Lexus RX 400, a vehicle the college already owns, for the first contract year.

The board may pay $20,000 to help Probstfeld relocate to Sarasota or Manatee counties, a requirement Probstfeld said would help her do her job better. She currently lives in Pinellas County.

On Tuesday, the board also unanimously finalized rules and procedures that members have previously said will ensure checks and balances and a more transparent financial decision-making process.

Now, trustees will review changes in work orders approved by Probstfeld monthly, as opposed to the quarterly reviews Hafner presented to the board. Probstfeld can approve purchases up to $65,000 and construction projects up to $150,000 without board approval first — the same spending limitations that were placed on Hafner in September. Presidents since 2007 have had the ability to spend $250,000 for construction and $150,000 for other spending without involving the board. The new rules apply to the SCF Collegiate School too.

Trustees also established parameters for what Probstfeld can spend on change orders based on the size of construction contracts.

New leadership was welcomed at the meeting.

Shortly before the trustees meeting, Gov. Rick Scott appointed Bradenton businessman Marlen “Rick” Hager to the board for a term ending in May.

The small crowd clapped for Hager, who was president of the Student Government Association when he attended State College of Florida — then Manatee Junior College — when he returned from serving in the U.S. Air Force in 1967.

Hager co-owns Goodwood and Stone Builders with his son and is a long-time member of the Hernando de Soto Society.

Probstfeld welcomed Hager warmly on Tuesday.

“Its been very rewarding and exciting,” Probstfeld said of her first month. “I'm very optimistic as to where we are as an institution.”

<p><em>LAKEWOOD RANCH</em> - State College of Florida's new president Carol Probstfeld has some specific goals for her tenure as president, including increasing student enrollment and getting some building projects off the ground.</p><p>And if Probstfeld doesn't achieve those goals, she's okay with it affecting her compensation.</p><p>A tentative contract presented to the Board of Trustees on Tuesday would hold Probstfeld accountable for seven goals in order to earn money for a tax sheltered annuity plan.</p><p>“I wanted the contract to reflect some measurable goals,” Probstfeld said Tuesday. “It gives everybody some focus.”</p><p>Though the trustees decided not to finalize Probstfeld's contract until a special meeting scheduled for March 18, Probstfeld said she takes little issue with the contract draft, and trustees said Tuesday that the process is close to complete.</p><p>“We're like 98 percent of the way there,” Board Chairman Carlos Beruff said, adding that there were a few compensation points to refine and trustees wanted legal counsel to look over it.</p><p>Probstfeld would earn a $235,000 base salary under the current contract language, up significantly from the $147,000 she earned as the vice president of business and administrative services.</p><p>Though trustees have sung Probstfeld's praises since naming her president in January, the contract would give much termination power to the board, who went through a drawn out process to reach a $363,000 settlement deal with former president Lars Hafner in October.</p><p>Probstfeld would receive no severance pay if her contract is terminated by the board “with cause” — if she is convicted of any crime involving fraud or theft or if the board uses “reasonable judgment” to determine she has failed in her duties or conduct. In other situations, her compensation pay would be limited to 20 weeks, as state statutes dictate.</p><p>Hafner left SCF this fall after months of disagreements with some trustees who said they weren't informed of the costs of various construction projects. He survived a forgery investigation by the state after signing a former president's name on official college documents.</p><p><B>A new trustee</b></p><p>The contract currently would give Probstfeld leave benefits outlined by state statutes and $1,000 for monthly expenses. It suggests giving her a 2008 Lexus RX 400, a vehicle the college already owns, for the first contract year.</p><p>The board may pay $20,000 to help Probstfeld relocate to Sarasota or Manatee counties, a requirement Probstfeld said would help her do her job better. She currently lives in Pinellas County.</p><p>On Tuesday, the board also unanimously finalized rules and procedures that members have previously said will ensure checks and balances and a more transparent financial decision-making process. </p><p>Now, trustees will review changes in work orders approved by Probstfeld monthly, as opposed to the quarterly reviews Hafner presented to the board. Probstfeld can approve purchases up to $65,000 and construction projects up to $150,000 without board approval first — the same spending limitations that were placed on Hafner in September. Presidents since 2007 have had the ability to spend $250,000 for construction and $150,000 for other spending without involving the board. The new rules apply to the SCF Collegiate School too.</p><p>Trustees also established parameters for what Probstfeld can spend on change orders based on the size of construction contracts.</p><p>New leadership was welcomed at the meeting.</p><p>Shortly before the trustees meeting, Gov. Rick Scott appointed Bradenton businessman Marlen “Rick” Hager to the board for a term ending in May.</p><p>The small crowd clapped for Hager, who was president of the Student Government Association when he attended State College of Florida — then Manatee Junior College — when he returned from serving in the U.S. Air Force in 1967.</p><p>Hager co-owns Goodwood and Stone Builders with his son and is a long-time member of the Hernando de Soto Society.</p><p>Probstfeld welcomed Hager warmly on Tuesday.</p><p>“Its been very rewarding and exciting,” Probstfeld said of her first month. “I'm very optimistic as to where we are as an institution.”</p>